Nothing like a present on St. Nick’s to make a person’s day.
Sooo….I want to start your day with a chance to get a free copy of one of the three novella’s below:
Davalynn Spencer’s As You Are at Christmas:
Angela Murphy’s plans for a cozy Colorado Christmas shatter when she finds her fellow-teacher boyfriend entangled with another woman. But she goes home anyway—to her grandmother Mollie’s Berthoud Boarding House where she’s forced into tasks with Mollie’s handsome new boarder, Matt Dawson.
OR:
Camille Eide’s Savanna’s Gift:
Forced to return to the ski lodge where she once worked, Savanna Holt is reminded of one special Christmas and how ambition led her to make the worst mistake of her life: Leaving Luke Nelson.
OR:
Ahem, my own, Polar Bear Plunge, which BTW has the sequel coming out next year at Pelican Books. (is that too much self-promotion? Sorry)
Brice Taylor might not be on Aleni Callan's Christmas list, but she finds him under her tree anyway. Nurse Aleni Callan's anger toward God is fueled when Brice Taylor enters her life. Not only does Brice have no regard for his own life—as evidenced by the concussion and hypothermia he suffers after participating in the Polar Bear Plunge—he escaped the war in Afghanistan and lived to tell his story in a bestselling book, while her precious husband was killed.
So add a comment at the end and you get a chance to get one of the three, follow me and I’ll put your name in twice. Woohoo! I’ll let you know this weekend who won…don’t forget your email address so I can contact the winners.
Now, to more serious matters. My favorite Christmas read:
A Christmas Gift by Glendon Swartout, wonderful story about a young man during the Depression who has to go live with his grandparents. A warm, wonderful read that will leave you wanting more. This book is full of humor, family, and coming of age. A special read for the whole family.
Favorite movie? Well, that goes without saying. A Christmas Carol. Nothing like a story of redemption. But there are SO many good ones. I’m a Christmasaholic, so there’s not a movie I don’t like. Not so far, anyway.
Favorite recipe? Fudge! Love it! Can’t do without it! And can’t wait to make it!
Simple fudge recipe:
2c white sugar
1 cup whole milk
½ c cocoa, don’t buy cheap stuff
¼ c butter
1T good vanilla, not imitation junk
Butter a large pan, sides and all. In pan, stir cocoa into sugar and add milk gradually. Cook over medium heat CONSTANTLY until boiling gently. Then don’t touch often, just enough to keep bottom from sticking. Test frequently. A few drops of syrup in cold water until it reaches between the soft and hard ball stages. Or, if you use a thermometer, just a bit above soft ball stage. Remove from heat, and without stirring, add butter and vanilla. DO NOT touch until it’s just warm. Shouldn’t be hot, but doesn’t have to be cool. Then beat like crazy until it becomes creamy. Won’t have shine anymore at all. Immediately spread onto a buttered plate and cut into huge chunks. If you like to add things: nuts, raisins, etc. do so just before you beat. You can make this with brown sugar or white without cocoa for vanilla and maple fudge. Easy and yummy! Cover with wrap overnight for an even creamier fudge by morning. Don’t be tempted to stir or taste while cooling as you’ll cause it to sugar. And you’ll want it nice and creamy. Blessings, Linda
Now that I’ve shared some favorite Christmas traditions with you, why not swing by and visit some of my friends’ sites?
And don’t forget, leave a message and/or follow me for a chance at one of the novellas.
Blessings for you and your family for a wonderful Christmas and Blessed New Year.
Next blog is Lisa Lickel’s on the 7th!
7th http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com
Susan Craft – 9th http://historicalfictionalightintime.blogspot.com
Gail Kittleson – 10th gailkittleson.blogspot.com
Linda Maran – 11th http://lindamaran.blogspot.com
Karen Wingate-14th – www.graceonparade.com/blog
Karla Akins-15th http://envisionpublishing.tumblr.com
Patty Wysong -- 18th www.pattywysong.com
Davalynn Spencer – 19th www.davalynnspencer.blogspot.com
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I wish I didn' have those great reads already. BUT I did have fudge-making stuff sitting on my counter, waiting for a great recipe, so, here we go! If my house burns down, it was nice knowing you all.
ReplyDeleteWhat a way to get in the Christmas spirit! A good book, good fudge, good movie, and good friends.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to try the fudge! Like Lisa, I've been wanting a good recipe.
ReplyDeleteDo I beat it by hand or with a mixer, or doesn't it matter? I'm a fudge novice...
Great news about the sequel to Polar Bear Plunge. :-)
I already follow you - and have one of the books (LOL I think you know which one!!) - but would LOVE to enter for one of the other two. And my daughter has never seen A Christmas Carol - we taped the Mickey one and will be watching it soon (she's only NINE - gimme a break! LOL)
ReplyDeleteAnd, as far as I'm concerned, it's hard to do too much promotion of YOUR OWN book on YOUR OWN blog. But that's just me. And I can't wait to read it.
And I LOVE your header (did Patty do it??).
Way to kick off Christmas, Linda! Wonderful reads to choose from and the fudge recipe sounds...mmmm! This is the real reason I wear spandex and bulky sweaters in winter! :)
ReplyDeleteLinda, great line-up of Christmas stories. I already read yours and Camille's last year, both wonderful and entertaining. I'd like to read Davalynn's. As for fudge, we're lactose free but it sure sounds good. We love A Christmas Carol and just played the George C. Scott DVD a few nights ago. It's our favorite Christmas movie.
ReplyDeleteI signed up to follow you through google and also through Atom. bigwaterpub at gmail dot com
My favorite part of Christmas is that moment on Christmas Eve in the wee hours of the morning when I've finally got the final gift wrapped, the stockings filled, the sleeping kids will be up in an hour, and I sit down by myself with a cup of hot cocoa and bask in the lights of the Christmas tree.
ReplyDeleteOooh, beat the fudge by hand. Your arm will get really tired toward the end. I tend to make HUGE batches. That way you can scrape the sides that begin to cream before the fudge does, and if you bring that back in, it will sit up quicker, but don't wait too long, Holly, or you'll have a huge blob of fudge in the pan. You want to spread it out sooner.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the George C. Scott version, it was so true to the story. And he did a wonderful job, plus Tiny Tim was so doggone cute. And, Karla, I loved that moment as well. Everything was ready for this kids' faces to light up, and very often, I fell asleep next to the tree just so I didn't have to turn the lights off. Ahhh, what wonderful memories. I do miss have kiddies around for the morning.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget tomorrow is Lisa's blog. More Cmas, more fun.
ReplyDeleteMore books to add to my list. Polar Bear Plunge and A Christmas Gift sound especially good. Thanks for the Christmas cheer. I wrote my post this evening. Can't wait to share this coming Sunday. I plan to try your fudge recipe. I think readers will like my recipe too - Laughing Reindeer. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, Joanne, Patty designed the entire site. I can never pay her back for all her help. I love it!
ReplyDelete